What an electrical quote should include

Two quotes for “a panel upgrade” can differ by $3,000 and both be honest. The difference is almost always in what each one leaves out. A good quote makes that visible on the page.

The twelve lines

Line	What it should say
License	The contractor’s name and CSLB license number, with the C-10 class
Scope	The job in plain words: “replace 100 A panel with 200 A, same location”
Equipment	Brand and model of the panel, breakers, charger or battery, with amp ratings
Circuits	New circuits listed with breaker size, wire size and where they run
Load check	Whether a load calculation was done, and the result
Permit	Who pulls it, whether the fee is included, and who schedules inspection
Utility work	Who applies for the meter spot or disconnect, and who pays utility fees
Exclusions	Patching, painting, stucco, trenching, meter relocation, HOA fees
Schedule	Approximate start and finish dates
Payments	A down payment line and progress payments in dollars
Changes	A statement that extra work needs a signed change order
Terms	Warranty terms written down, if any are offered

California requires most of this for home improvement jobs over $500. Business and Professions Code 7159 asks for the price, a description of the work and main materials, a payment schedule, start and completion dates, and the contractor’s license number.

Scope and equipment, not just a total

“Panel upgrade, $3,400” tells you very little. Ask for the amp rating of the new panel, the brand, the number of spaces, and whether the main breaker, a meter socket and a surge device are included. For a panel job in SoCal, the typical range as of October 2026 is about $2,500 to $4,500 for a 200 amp swap in place. A bigger job, such as a new service run, a meter or mast move, trenching or stucco work, is more like $5,500 to $10,000. See the panel upgrade cost page for what moves the number.

For an EV charger, the typical SoCal range is about $1,000 to $2,000 for a new 240-volt circuit and mount, and the charger itself is often extra. If the panel needs work too, the combined job runs about $3,600 to $7,500. The EV charger cost page breaks that down. Whatever the total, the quote should say whether the charger is supplied or not.

Permit and utility lines

The permit line settles a lot of confusion. It should say who pulls it, whether the fee is in the price, and who is on site for the city inspection. The permit guide explains the steps.

Utility steps are separate. If the service is upsized or the meter moves, the utility may need to approve a meter location or reconnect power. In SDG&E territory, for example, a same-size or no-added-load service upgrade can go through its Express Program, and it asks for a clear 3 ft by 3 ft work space at the meter panel. The quote should name who handles that paperwork.

Exclusions are where bids differ

Look for these four. They are the usual reasons the cheaper bid is not cheaper:

• Patching and paint after drywall or stucco is opened
• Trenching for a detached garage or ADU feeder
• Meter or mast relocation that the utility requires
• Corrections the inspector asks for on old wiring found behind the panel

If a bid is silent on these, ask in writing whether they are in or out.

Payments

California limits a home improvement down payment to the lesser of $1,000 or 10 percent of the price. On a $3,400 job that is $340. Later payments should be tied to work or delivered materials. The law warns against collecting payment for work not yet done. Be careful with any request for a large amount in cash up front.

Compare three the same way

CSLB suggests three written bids based on the same scope, and care with any bid that is far lower than the others. A simple method: copy the table above into a note, fill one column per bid, and mark blanks. A blank is a question, not an answer. The license guide covers the checks on the company before you sign, and the visit prep guide helps you give every bidder the same facts.

Typical SoCal ranges on this site are informational and come from the sources on each cost page. They are not a bid. To see how they are built, read how prices are shown.